Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek

About

Deoriatal Chandrashila is one of the most popular treks in the Garhwal Himalayas. A trek that offers majestic views of Himalayas and valleys, alluring views of rare Himalayan birds, blossoms and serene environment. A trek which is well loved for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers. It remains accessible almost throughout the year and offers a variety of views and experiences. Duration of the trek is 3 days and is perfect for weekends and extended long weekends. The trek amazes you all the 3 days from its beauty and experiences. The highlights of this trek include magnificent views of Mt. Chaukhamba, Tungnath temple (World's highest Lord Shiva temple) and scenic Deoriatal Lake. One can be a nature lover or a pro trekker or a photographer or a bird watching amateur, the trek disappoints none.

The trek begins from a small village named, Sari located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand at a height of 6,601 Feet and it terminates at Chopta, which is a tiny settlement and is the gateway to Tungnath temple and Chandrashila peak (3998 meters). The difficulty level of this trek is easy and is recommended for novice trekkers as well as experienced ones.

Drive from Delhi to Sari via Rishikesh (450 KM drive)

We assemble at Akshardham Metro Station at 9 PM. Sari is 450 km away from Delhi and it takes around 14 hours to reach the village. We have our dinner near Modinagar and take the next halt at Rishikesh. We do an overnight journey to Rishikesh and then from there get ready for an 8 hours mountain drive. We drive through Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar and Rudraprayag. Amidst the way, don't forget to take pictures at the confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers at Devprayag. From Rudraprayag, we take the route to Kedarnath and drive towards Sari village via Agastyamuni and Ukhimath.

Day 1

Arrive in Sari and Trek to Deoriatal (2.3 Km Trek)

Sari is a small and quaint village situated at a height of 6,601 feet. We reach the village by noon and after having lunch there, we start our trek to Deoriatal. Trek to Deoriatal is a short trek of about 2.3 km. The trail is mild steep and completely paved with stones. The trek is not tiring as the distance is less and it usually takes 2 hours to reach the lake. We start our trek from the gateway on which it is written: "Welcome to Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary".

We start our walk through the trail and reach a temple and few houses. We continue our trek and after about 1 km, turn around and enjoy the bird’s eye view of Sari village. There are few shelters available on the trek where one can relax. Though the trek is easy but it can be a bit tiring for first-timers. The trail passes through the scenic forest of Rhododendron and Oak. After reaching the lake, you see a forest check post and green pastures of land. Enjoy the views and the starry night if the weather is clear. The lake is girded by forest and meadows. Dinner and overnight stay in dome tents.

Day 2

Trek from Deoriatal to Chopta (14 KM trek)

Wake up early and enjoy the sunrise and early morning views of Chaukhamba massif at Deoriatal. After having breakfast, we start our trek towards Chopta with the packed lunch. The trek from Deoriatal to Chopta is 14 km long and the trail passes through dense forest. We start the trek by 8 AM and take the route towards the watch tower which is standing behind the lake. The watchtower gives the clearest views of Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and Mandani peaks.

After clicking photos there, we move further where a signboard is there showing the distance of Chopta. From that point, we enter the forest and it continues for about 15 minutes. Then we reach a dead-end from where one can see the complete Sari village. We take the left turn and proceed towards Jhandi top on the steep trail. This is one of the three steep stretches that comes in the today's trek. We cross the Jhandi top and again enter the forest that continues till the end of the trek. After completing the half of the trek, we reach small meadows where we have our packed lunch. The meadows are encircled by dense forest. We can also spot Jackals and Giant Squirrels there depending on the weather and rush on the trail. Later, we resume our trek through the forest and reach a steep and sharp descent. The descending trail can be a bit tricky during the rainy season.

Then we arrive at a small water stream where we can fill our water bottles and get fresh with the cool water. After all this, we take the uphill route and reach the road head in the next hour. The total time it takes to complete the trek is around 7-8 hours. We move towards our campsite and enjoy the sunset at Chopta. Dinner and overnight stay in camps.

Day 3

Trek from Chopta to Chandrashila via Tunganath and back (10 KM trek)

Wake up and gear up for the most important day of the trek. If weather permits, we try to start our trek by 5 in the morning to see the sunrise from the summit. Firstly, we drive to Chopta and then we start the trek to Tungnath Temple and Chandrashila. The trek from Chopta to Tungnath is 3.5 km in distance and further 1.5 km steep trek leads to the summit of Chandrashila. The trail till Tungnath is rocky and well paved and further from Tungnath, there is no rocky trail. You can also notice a change in the landscape due to increase in the altitude. The tree line ends at Tungnath and after that, you may find only bushes. It normally takes around 3 hours to reach Tunganth temple and another 1 hour to reach Chandrashila summit from the temple.

The Tungnath Temple is one of the Panch Kedar temples and is considered the highest temple of Lord Shiva in the world. The summit of Chandrashila is standing at an altitude of 4000 meters above the sea level. It offers perfect panoramic views of remarkable peaks of Uttarakhand such as Kedarnath, Mandani, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti, Hathi, Ghodi, etc.

After clicking photos at the summit, we start descending back to Chopta through the same route that we took while ascending. It takes 2-3 hours to come down and then we depart for Delhi. start our drive towards Rishikesh. We retrace the same route and reach Rishikesh by late evening. Reach Delhi by early morning next day.

Accommodation in dome tents/guesthouse

Meals: from Lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 3

Bonfire (optional)

Trekking guide for trekking.

Exclusive Non-AC Vehicle dedicated for the Group during entire Tour

Vehicle type: Tempo Traveler / Taxi

Driver Allowances, toll taxes, parking, state taxes.

Forest entry fees

Any meals during travel from New Delhi to Chopta and vice versa.

Any expenses for optional activities or tickets, unless quoted in Inclusions.

Insurance, Items of personal nature like porterage, tips, laundry etc

Any Entry Fees

Any additional expenses caused by disturbance in trip program due to circumstances like weather conditions, sickness, natural disasters, riots etc.

Any additional expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances like cancellation / roadblocks / landslides / strike or any other natural causes out of human control or any emergency evacuation expenses.

Anything not mentioned in Inclusions

Any kind of Expense for Loss / Misplaced / Theft of personal belongings.

Usually, we take maximum 12-15 people in one group. We believe bigger groups have less fun and less coordination so that’s why we prefer smaller groups.

We need at least 6 people to operate our fixed departure tours/treks.

Q. Who all will go along with us on the trip/trek?

All our treks are led by professional trek leaders who are certified mountaineers. Apart from them, there will be one local guide, cook, helper, porters and other staff.

All our trips are led by professional trip coordinators who have a good experience in leading groups.

Q. I am the only girl in the group, is it safe to travel/trek solo?

Yes definitely it is, safety of girls is most important for us. All our guides and other staff are carefully chosen for trips/treks. They are honest and reliable but we also advise you to take care of your personal belongings.

Q. What are the things that we need to carry on the trek/trip?

Once you confirm the trip/trek and done with the booking, we will send you the packing list according to the trip/trek.

We always recommend that you carry your rucksack during the trek because it helps in maintaining your body posture. In case if you cannot, then we can provide you a mule/porter to carry your rucksack. You will have to tell us at least 1 week before the trek. The charges for offloading would be INR 300 per person per day.

Q. Which shoes should I buy?

Shoes are your lifeline on the trek. It is highly advisable to buy trekking shoes of a good and known brand. You can consider companies like Quechua, Columbia, etc. A waterproof shoes with ankle support will work good.

Q. What are the washroom/toilet facilities like on the trek?

During the treks, separate toilet tents will be set up on each campsite.

Q. What will be the type of accommodation?

It depends on the tour. If it is a trek then you will be staying in dome tents or if it is a road trip the the accommodation can be in hotel/alpine tent/dome tent/home stay.

Q. Will you provide sleeping bags and mattresses?

Yes, we will provide sleeping bags and mattresses during the trek. Our sleeping bags can withstand temperature as low as -10 degree.

Q. How many trekkers will be in one tent?

It totally depends on group dynamics. If there is a couple, we can give them a separate tent or if there are odd number of people, then there would be triple sharing.

Q. How can I book a trek/trip with you?

After selecting the trip/trek, you can book by clicking on the book now button or you can contact us and we will guide you in booking.

Q. What type of food is served during the trek?

We provide nutritious and healthy food during the treks. We always serve Indian vegetarian food and eggs.

Q. How to get safe drinking water on the trek?

Himalayan water is considered the purest water and safe to drink. But for safety purpose, we sometimes boil the water and then use it for drinking and cooking.

In case you find any clean water on the trek, always fill your water where the water is running not where the water is stable or is in rest.

Q. Can we change the itinerary?

Yes, you can give suggestions. We will look into that and if we find it feasible then we will apply it.

Q. Can you customize the trip/trek?

Yes, we can customize any trip/trek as per your needs and as per the feasibility.

Q. Will doctor accompany us on the trek?

No, but our trek leaders are certified in Wildlife First Aid course and they always carry first aid kit and oxygen cylinders on high altitude treks.

Q. Do you prefer I should bring some medicines with me?

Yes it is advisable that you carry your own medication on the trek.

Q. Diamox is advisable or not?

Well, it totally depends on person to person. Usually, there are no side effects of Diamox but if you are having any prior medical conditions then it is better to consult your doctor.

Our itinerary is designed in a way that we take sufficient time to get acclimatized. In case if you are having problem on the trek then tell your trek leader about your condition as soon as possible.

Q. Can I take my child along on this trek? What is the age limit?

It depends on the difficulty level of the trek. Minimum age for eligibility is 14 years.

Q. What will we do if it rains?

If it starts raining slowly while trekking then we will continue our trek as per the plan. Your poncho will keep you dry. In case if it is raining heavily then we will try to find any shelter and wait for the rain to stop or slow. If it rains at the campsite then there would not be any problem because all our living tents, kitchen tents and toilet tents are waterproof. You will stay dry inside.

Q. Why is the trekking pole necessary?

Differs from person to person. If you think that it would help you maintaining balance while trekking then do bring the pole. Some people think that trekking pole disturbs the walking rhythm. So it’s upto you.

As per the Hindu Mythology, the five Pandavas (from Mahabharata) had to come to the Deoriatal to quench their thirst and then they had to face the wisdom test. Since then, the lake is considered sacred.

Tungnath (the World's highest Lord Shiva temple) is one of the Panch Kedar temples built by Pandavas. Other Panch Kedar temples include Kedarnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar.

It is believed that after finishing the Mahabharata, Pandavas were in the search of the God Shiva to seek his blessings. Pandavas first went to Varanasi, as it is believed to be the Shiva's favorite city. Shiva wanted to avoid them as he was deeply incensed by the deaths. So he hid him in the Garhwal Himalayas in the form of a bull. Then Pandavas too went to Garhwal Himalayas and Bheem recognized the bull as Shiva. The bull disappeared in the ground and reappear in parts in 5 different places, which later known as Panch Kedar. The hump part was found in Kedarnath, arms found in Tungnath, navel and abdominal part in Madhyamaheshwar, face in Rudranath and the head in Kalpeshwar. The Pandavas pleased all the parts and built temples there and finally they got freed from their sins.

The word Chandrashila is composed of two Hindi words Chandra which means Moon and Shila which means Rock. So its called Moon Rock.

It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo id for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

Ukhimath is the last place where one can find ATM. Make sure you carry sufficient cash or remember to withdraw at Ukhimath.

No electricity will be available at Deoriatal. Don't forget to carry a torch and a power bank.

Mobile Networks:

At Sari Village- BSNL, Airtel, and Vodafone ;

At Deoriatal- Weak signals of BSNL and Airtel

At Chopta- Weak signals of Vodafone and Airtel postpaid

Trip Images

Testimonials

Loved the experience.. Had gone to deoriatal Chandrashila trek.. Amazed, flabbergasted, mind blown from the experience.. Cannot describe in words what i witnessed.. Good job JustWravel for a memorable experience.. Manu, our tour guide, was really cool and a Great motivator and everyone loved him.. I've gone places with other tour operators also but with JustWravel, it was a completely different experience altogether.. They have excellent time management skills which is very important if you are on a tight schedule.. Also cost effective.. i would highly recommend that you travel with them at least once just for an experience..

-- Shashank Gupta

They Delivered what committed.
Trek, camp, stay, food, local guide and lots of fun...
No complaints, will certainly recommend.
Thanks for a best and memorable trek
deoriatal-chopta-tungnath-chandrashila trek.

-- Narendra Singh

#JustWravel, Trip is always meant to gain experience which must contain at least thousand words to describe ! Trip to chandarshila was the one of them with JustWravel. Rohan our trekking partner cum friend is an amazing person ! If i had gone without him, there can be many things which could be missing ! He guided us, been with us, told us stories and listened to us.
And on the top, Chandarshila is an FAAD place to visit. 3 days of trekking through roads, forest and mountain. I must go place but only with Justwravel.
Pandey No. 1 !
Go Justwravel !

-- Abhinav Garg

Our trip to Chandrashila/Chopta/Deoriatal was a surreal experience. Everything managed with love and care along with utter professionalism. Rohan is such a great trek leader. Looking forward to going on many more trips with Justwravel.

-- Lakshay Taneja

Great motivator Rohan.... your 2 mins will always be remembered??. Thanks JustWravel you are doing great job keep it up guys. Looking forward for more trips with you people. ??

-- Prateek Raj

Honestly, I don't think I am experienced enough to review a trekking experience. But I still wanted to write this because I have realized lately during my trip to Tungnath/Chandrashila that it isn't the trek that makes it an experience worth cherishing but it is whom you company with during the trip. I have had the pleasure to acquaint with some charming people who will remain close to my heart for as long as I live. Though its been a few weeks since we returned from the trip, reminiscence of those few days is still ecstatic. Irony is that me and @Goutham(inceptor of the whole plan) weren't sure if we'd enjoy the trip as much as we do when we go by ourselves if we go with JustWravel. Thanks for proving us wrong @JustWravel. Special thanks to @ManuKhandelwal for making all this happen and keeping our spirits up throughout the trek. Keep spreading happiness. I am eagerly waiting to associate with you for my next trip.

-- Naga Harish

I would like to start giving a 'highfive' and a 5 Star. The rationale, 1 Star for the trip organization, flawless arrangements in such tight locations, +1 Star for the way they gudided us in every step me moved, +1 Star for filling up inspiration in all the journey of 4 fantastic days, +1 Star for Showing us sky filled with never ending stars, the night I will never forget in life and +1 Star as a gesture of thanking their guides for making me believe "I Can Do It". #ChoptaChandrashillatrip #Justwravel

-- Kalyan Gali

Had a great time with Rohan Bhai during the whole trip. The Road trip was excellent as we were continuously sharing stories either each other.